Alliance of Black Orchestral Percussionists - ABOP

Alliance of Black Orchestral Percussionists - ABOP ABOP aims to increase the diversity of percussionists in symphony orchestras.

Alliance of Black Orchestral Percussionists (ABOP) held its first Board retreat on June 14, 2026. Among the many items d...
06/15/2026

Alliance of Black Orchestral Percussionists (ABOP) held its first Board retreat on June 14, 2026. Among the many items discussed were the origins of ABOP, the Mentorship Program, and the future—how to best reach and support protégés. Special thanks to our facilitator, Tara Aesquivel!
Attendees included (pictured from left to right): Tara Aesquivel, Arts Consultant and Facilitator; Paul Hogle, ABOP Director, President, Cleveland Institute of Music; Justin Cole, ABOP Production Assistant; Raynor Carroll, ABOP Co-Founder & CEO, Principal Percussion, LA Phil (retired); Adrienne Lee, ABOP Senior Advisor; Joseph Mitchell III, ABOP Advisor; Alexa Clawson, ABOP Protégé; Wesley Sumpter, ABOP Advisor, Mentor, Assistant Principal Percussion, LA Phil; Stephen Smith, ABOP Director, VP, Investor Relations, Valeas Capital Partners; London Johnson, ABOP Protégé; Alan Fletcher, ABOP Director, President, Aspen Music Festival and School (not pictured) www.abop.us

Resonant Voices: Showcasing diversity among Black musiciansIn celebration of Black Music Month, four Black musicians sha...
05/31/2026

Resonant Voices: Showcasing diversity among Black musicians

In celebration of Black Music Month, four Black musicians share their unique musical journeys and offer insights into key inspirational experiences that were impactful in their careers and lives. Guests include Paul Philbert, Principal Timpani, National Arts Centre Orchestra, Ottawa, Canada; Robin Ross, freelance violist, composer, and arranger; Todd Cochran, pianist, composer, electronic musician, and conceptual artist; Charles Dickerson, music director, conductor, composer, and arranger.
https://abop.us/abop-podcasts/

ABOP’s yearly intensive program for our protégés is coming up from June 23-27! The focus will be on standard orchestral ...
05/22/2026

ABOP’s yearly intensive program for our protégés is coming up from June 23-27! The focus will be on standard orchestral repertoire for percussion, which will be showcased throughout the week through master classes, workshops, a mock audition, rehearsals, and a performance. The last two events of the week are open to everyone and free:

Conductors Workshop, June 26, 7:00-9:00 p.m., Altadena, CA
This workshop, led by Raynor Carroll, retired Principal Percussionist of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, will prioritize practical information for conductors. It will provide valuable insights into mallets, sound production, ensemble dynamics, principal duties, optimal set-up, and more.
Tickets and registration: FREE at Eventbrite.

JOINT CONCERT, June 27, 7:00-8:30 p.m., Inglewood, CA
ABOP protégés will team up with members of the Inner City Youth Orchestra Los Angeles (ICYOLA) and the Loyola Law School Orchestra (LLSO) in presenting a free performance showcasing repertoire studied throughout the week. Music Directors Charles Dickerson (ICYOLA) and Simona Grossi (LLSO) will guide the tutti ensemble in more than a dozen works featuring percussion.
Tickets and registration: FREE at Eventbrite.

For more detailed information on the FREE events and the entire week, visit ABOP-in-LA webpage: https://abop.us/abop-in-la/

New ABOP PodcastRaynor Carroll, retired Principal Percussionist with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, engages in a discussi...
04/28/2026

New ABOP Podcast
Raynor Carroll, retired Principal Percussionist with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, engages in a discussion with ABOP protégés Jakalin Bryant and Torrance Buntyn Jr. The discussion includes their experiences before and during their protégé status in ABOP’s Mentorship Program and big plans for the Fall!

https://abop.us/abop-podcasts/

You are invited to ABOP’s Zoom Exchange, Sunday, April 26, at 7 p.m. EDT, 4 p.m. PDT. The Zoom Exchange is a roundtable...
04/24/2026

You are invited to ABOP’s Zoom Exchange, Sunday, April 26, at 7 p.m. EDT, 4 p.m. PDT. The Zoom Exchange is a roundtable discussion with shared insights and experiences, new discoveries, shop talk, and what’s new with the Alliance of Black Orchestral Percussionists, ABOP.
Not able to join us right at the start? No problem—log in when you can. Copy and paste the link to join, and feel free to invite a friend!
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3179034462?pwd=MEE0Y0lKOVJkVTFGelJyTkZnYml3Zz09&omn=81944185219

Raynor Carroll leads a discussion along with ABOP mentors Terry McKinney and Torrell Moss, on the expectations and respo...
03/26/2026

Raynor Carroll leads a discussion along with ABOP mentors Terry McKinney and Torrell Moss, on the expectations and responsibilities of a section percussionist in a symphony orchestra. The discussion includes musicality, logistical considerations, personality, questions by ABOP protégés, and more.

Visit our Podcast Page (https://abop.us/abop-podcasts/) for information and listening links for all ABOP podcasts. New episodes are published monthly and available on your favorite podcast service.

Three Southern California-based Alliance of Black Orchestral Percussionists (ABOP) protégés performed in the lobby of Lo...
03/17/2026

Three Southern California-based Alliance of Black Orchestral Percussionists (ABOP) protégés performed in the lobby of Los Angeles General Medical Center on March 15, 2026. Alexa Clawson, Cosmo Fernandez, and London Johnson presented works that included J.S. Bach, Keiko Abe, and improvised selections.

Patients, doctors, nurses, staff, and families enjoyed the soothing sounds of gongs, hand pans, and wind chimes, in addition to the beauty of Bach on marimba.

Los Angeles General Medical Center is a premier public teaching hospital and Level-One trauma center serving LA County since 1878. Known for its historic 1933 "Great Stone Mother" Art Deco building, it operates as a major safety-net provider, offering care to a diverse, underserved population.

Thank you to Medical Center Music Program Founder and Director, Toby Horn, for inviting our protégés!

In February, ABOP board member and Vice President of Investor Relations at Valeas Capital Partners, Stephen Smith, condu...
03/11/2026

In February, ABOP board member and Vice President of Investor Relations at Valeas Capital Partners, Stephen Smith, conducted a session with our protégés on professional development and career transitions.
Drawing from his own experiences, Stephen underscored the significance of relationship building, perseverance, and authenticity in professional growth. He explained how his journey ultimately led him to his current role in private equity, emphasizing the importance of nurturing connections and staying in touch with mentors and colleagues. The protégés sought guidance on managing fear, building self-confidence, and adapting to various career scenarios, and Stephen provided valuable insights on taking calculated risks, learning from setbacks, and fostering positive relationships in professional settings.

We extend our sincere gratitude to Stephen for his enlightening session and his unwavering commitment to ABOP!

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Pasadena, CA
91109

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